ADF
Mount Soma
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through the basics of meditation. We also hiked to the various parks on campus and attended Aarti and Rudrabhishekam at the Temple. One visitor described Mount Soma as “a piece of heaven on Earth” and I tend to agree with that sentiment or as Dr. Mamas puts it “contained within the Veda is the knowledge of how to construct an Enlightened City that will radiate coherence and harmony to our entire world. Mount Soma is that place.” They offer daily m e d i t a t i o n , meditation retreats, Ashram program and work study program. Accommodations are available at the private cottage and more modest accommodations at the student union with dormitory style rooms, private rooms and family rooms. Vegetarian meals are served three times a day and group meditation is offered at least twice a day. To plan your trip or learn more about the various programs and festivals at Mt Soma, visit www.mountsoma.org. More info on the temple can be found at srisomesvara.org.
A Trilogy. Most of their dances take on an unashamedly direct critique on issues in modern society, such as the Holocaust, racism, war, and poverty. I again expect this year´s performance to be powerfully resonant and, perhaps, best enjoyed without children. John Jasperse Projects presents from July 5-7 a piece that echoes an Eastern spirituality, exploring the illusory notion of self. Is there a firm boundary between ourselves and the world around us or is there some mutually influencing karmic interaction? I have always loved the energy of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, which returns on Friday and Saturday July 8 and 9, including a Saturday children´s matinee. The program includes One Flat Thing, reproduced that I´m looking forward to. Echoing a dynamic score, dancers range from quiet to “razorlike in perilous waves”. Perhaps not for everybody, Eiko & Koma have a long history of presenting evocative slow dances. My wife and I are fans and enjoy the contemplative artistry of this couple and how their deliberative dance causes one to slow down and just feel. Separately this time, they are presenting. Eiko gave some free performances before ADF began and Koma comes to the beautiful 21c Museum Hotel in Durham, NC on July 12 through 14. In his first multi-disciplinary solo project, Koma Otake presents The Ghost Festival. It is sure to be a remarkable experience.
Photo by Paul B. Goode
The Festival continues with several other troupes through late July, ending with one of my favorites, Paul Taylor Dance Company. I am excited that they are performing their rich Bachorchestrated Promethean Fire (2002) that I have enjoyed seeing performed at least twice in the past. Claude Debussy´s music sets the choreography for Images (1977). As if that is not enough, two other dances are also planned, Profiles (1979) and a unique version of the classic Snow White (1983). ADF tickets are on sale. Full details on tickets, as well as all things ADF, are available at americandancefestival.org.
Note: Photographs and American Dance Festival logo and schedule courtesy of American Dance Festival and used with permission.
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July 2016